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The report examines China's pivotal role as a major cotton producer, importer, and textile exporter, highlighting the environmental degradation caused by intensive chemical and water use in domestic production. It compares these impacts with those in other regions, noting that rain-fed production in West Africa offers a more sustainable alternative. The document evaluates four future scenarios up to 2020, arguing that internalizing environmental costs and shifting sourcing toward sustainable African production can improve global sustainability. Key recommendations include developing a national information strategy on sustainability, adopting international standards like the Better Cotton Initiative, and eliminating duties on African cotton imports.

The report analyzes the environmental and social impacts of China's role as a global leader in e-product manufacturing and e-waste processing. It identifies energy use and toxic chemical release as primary environmental threats and highlights the health risks associated with informal e-waste recycling. The document recommends a National Sustainable E-Product Growth Strategy, a National E-waste Strategy, and an International Action Plan to harmonize standards and manage the responsible trade and disposal of e-waste.

The report analyzes the global commodity chain of forest products where China acts as the central processing hub, importing raw materials from developing nations and exporting finished goods to Western markets. It highlights a systemic failure in governance and sustainability, particularly in Mozambique and Russia, where weak tenure rights and corruption lead to illegal logging and forest degradation. Conversely, it notes that trade with New Zealand demonstrates a positive model where strong governance ensures sustainable plantation management. The document argues that China's own self-interest—specifically the need for secure, long-term fibre supply—should drive it to lead international efforts in sustainable forest management, improve its procurement policies, and support capacity-building in supplier countries.

The document analyzes the global forest product commodity chain, where developing nations act as raw material bases, China serves as the primary processing center, and Western nations are the final consumers. It highlights a critical failure in the 'funding loop' for countries like Mozambique and Russia, where timber revenues do not return to forest regeneration, leading to over-logging and illegal activities. Conversely, New Zealand is presented as a success story of sustainable forest management (SFM) and integrated industry. The report argues that China's trade policies—specifically zero tariffs on raw logs and high export rebates for finished goods—have historically incentivized unsustainable imports and low-value production. To mitigate these risks, the report recommends that China improve its 'ecological footprint' monitoring, support forest governance in supplier nations, encourage sustainable overseas investment, and reform fiscal policies to shift toward high-value, certified sustainable wood products.